The Equitable Internet Initiative is Seeking Youth for the “Next Gen Apps Youth Program”

The Equitable Internet Initiative (EII) is seeking 60 middle and high school aged youth for the Next Gen Apps Youth Program. EII is a collaboration between the Detroit Community Technology Project (DCTP), Allied Media Projects (AMP), Grace in Action Collectives, WNUC Community Radio, and the Church of the Messiah’s Boulevard Harambe Program. EII is working to ensure that Detroit residents have the ability to leverage digital technologies for social and economic development.

Next Gen Apps are applications created to live on servers connected to neighborhood community wireless networks. These apps can be accessed by neighbors connected within the community wireless network through an intranet, or local server. We see these applications as an opportunity to foster collaboration, existing relationships, and neighborhood resiliency. The applications can be tools for neighborhoods without internet connections.

About the Next Gen Apps Youth Program

The Next Gen Apps Youth Program is a free 4-week training program in app development for the gigabit environment being offered to 20 young people in Detroit’s Southwest, Islandview, and North End neighborhoods. The Next Gen Apps training provides digital literacy, coding, and app development skills to middle and high school-aged students, then facilitates apprenticeships between graduates and local technologists.

The program consists of two phases:

4 weeks | 20 students | September 25 – October 25, 2017

The Next Gen Apps program is a FREE training in application development for the gigabit internet environment with young people in Detroit’s Southwest, Islandview, and North End neighborhoods. The initial 4-week training will teach app development concepts and basic coding skills such as CSS, HTML, Javascript, and Node.js.

Phase two (6 weeks) will provide an opportunity for six phase one graduates from each neighborhood to go on and build applications that help solve problems, foster collaboration, and fuel creativity within their neighborhoods. Youth who participate in this second phase will earn a laptop so they can continue to use their newfound skills, along with marketable skills which will set them on a path to obtaining or creating jobs in the growing tech industry.

Next Gen Apps Program Goals

Working with professional technologists, youth will prototype applications for their neighborhoods that leverage the power of the Gigabit environment and encourage collaboration, problem solving, and creativity among neighbors.

• Students will connect their passion for technology and coding with community needs using coding language to create collective, innovative solutions.
• Students will learn fundamental web development logic and concepts to be implemented in the design of a functioning web app.
• Students will be exposed to and practice using CSS, HTML, Javascript, and Node.js coding languages.
• Students will learn to navigate computers and utilize programs and shortcuts to speed up development time.
• Students will explore and increase awareness of available career options in the tech field.
• Students will understand how the skills they have gained can be expanded through exploration and self-guided learning.

How to Apply

The deadline to apply is September 15, 2017 by midnight. Please make sure to identify which neighborhood you would like to work in (Southwest, Islandview, or the North End). We ask that you apply to the neighborhoods you are familiar with and show that familiarity when applying.

Grace in Action (Southwest) – 1725 Lawndale Street, Detroit, Michigan 48209

Trainings at Grace in Action will take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:15 – 6:30pm. Before applying, please make sure you are able to attend these weekly classes. Contact meghan@graceinactiondetroit.org with questions or for more information. Youth can also apply by clicking this link.

NewCC (North End) – 7700 2nd Ave Ste. 500, Detroit, MI 48202

Trainings at WNUC radio will take place 4:15 – 6:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Before applying, please make sure you are able to attend these weekly classes. Contact revjoan1949@gmail.com with questions or for more information. Youth can also apply by clicking this link.

BLVD Harambee (Island View/East Side) – 231 E. Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48207

Trainings at Church of the Messiah will take place 4:15 – 6:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Before applying, please make sure you are able to attend these weekly classes. Contact wallyg@blvharambee.org with questions or for more information. Youth can also apply by clicking this link.

Learn more about the goals of the Next Gen Apps Youth Training Program by visiting the Detroit Community Technology Project’s (DCTP) website!